2008 Proceedings - St. Cloud State University

Abstracts
Session A All Disciplines Ballroom
Is There a Gold Deposit in the Center Valley Area?
Nearly a century ago Mr. Billmeyer, prospected unsuccessfully for gold in the Center Valley area of Morrison County, Minnesota. To test
for any mineralization of the prospected area, 20 samples were selected from tailing piles, and outcrops next to the old prospect pits. Thin
section analysis is being used to identify variations in rock types. Scanning electron microscope, whole rock chemical, and trace element
analyses are being used to test for precious metal enrichment. Metals specifically being tested for are gold, platinum, palladium and silver.
These processes are in progress, and will be sufficient to determine any precious metal enrichment of the Center Valley area in Morrison
County, Minnesota.
Presentation Index: A9
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Department: Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Giese, Amy
Pekarek, Alfred
What Should Be Done About Global Warming?
On February 2, 2007, the leading International Network of Climate Scientists concluded for the first time that global warming is caused by
human activity. Because of this fact, I chose to investigate what should be done to reduce our impact on global warming. I asked 150
students in Biol. 151 at St. Cloud State University a series of questions relating to these three research questions: 1) To what extent do
SCSU students in Biol. 151 know about global warming? 2) What are the beliefs of SCSU students in Biol. 151 regarding possible
solutions to global warming? 3) To what extent do daily activities of SCSU students in Biol. 151 impact global warming? My research
found that most students know, to a great extent, what causes global warming and believe in finding and using products that reduce their
personal carbon dioxide emissions, including daily behaviors that may affect their lifestyles.
Presentation Index: A10
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Department: Biological Sciences
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Swanson, Jennessa
Simpson, Patricia
GMR Pathfinder
Magnetic Random Access Memory (MRAM) technology has been touted as the technology of the future with the promise of high speed
switching and long lasting non-volatile memory. MRAM‘s have the capability of speeding up computer boot times, reducing power usage
and should be easy to fabricate. MRAM‘s utilize sub-micron ferro-magnetic structures called bits. These bits are patterned on a common
substrate such as silicon. Bits are essentially tiny magnets whose magnetization is switched by an externally applied magnetic field using
the mechanism of Giant Magneto Resistance (GMR). The problem holding the technology back is mainly the unreliable switching
characteristics of the bits. To solve this we take advantage of the pseudo-spin valve (PSV) structure which virtually eliminates the thermal
affects on the state of the bit thus making the device more reliable. To further improve the reliability of the bits, additional layers of PSV 's
will be added to each bit adding redundancy to the device and increasing the anisotopic field strength required to switch the bit to reduce
the impact of external magnetic fields on the state of the bit. Design factors aside, the most important factor in MRAM device reliability is
the uniformity of well defined device features which will give predictable anisotropic fields throughout the device. This is accomplished by
developing reliable manufacturing processes using cutting edge technology such as ion implantation as apposed to traditional ion mill
methods. Ion implantation minimizes surface variation and improves the physical edge of the bit thereby minimizing switching
irregularities. The development of the manufacturing process using ion implantaion techniques instead of traditional ion milling techniques
for the production of MRAM is the primary focus of the research.
Presentation Index: A11
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Department: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Project Sponsor(s):
Student Presenter(s): Mendonsa, Riyan
Vogt, Timothy
St. Cloud State University Student Research Colloquium 20
April 22, 2008